bubble_chart Concept

Soreness of the shin refers to the weakness and soreness of the lower leg.

The term "soreness of the shin" first appeared in Lingshujing, where it was considered to be caused by "insufficiency of the sea of marrow." Suwen. Cire chapter mentions the symptom of "soreness of the shin," where "shin" is synonymous with "tibia." Later medical practitioners often discussed this condition under the categories of deficiency fatigue, atrophy-flaccidity, and other related diseases.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Kidney Qi Deficiency︰Soreness in both shins with a cool, wind-like sensation locally, weakness and limpness in the lower back and knees, accompanied by a dark complexion, shortness of breath, frequent urination, dribbling after urination, or possibly impotence, a deep and weak pulse, a pale red tongue with a thin white coating. This is often caused by excessive sexual activity, depletion of essence and blood due to aging, or chronic illness leading to physical weakness, resulting in the consumption of kidney qi and yin. The kidneys govern the bones, which generate marrow. When essence and marrow fail to nourish the bones, soreness and fatigue in the shins occur. Key diagnostic features include a cool sensation, aversion to wind, a dark complexion, dribbling after urination, and a weak but not rapid pulse. Treatment should focus on tonifying qi and nourishing the kidneys, with the recommended formula being the Great Dodder Seed Pill.
2. Kidney Yin Deficiency︰Soreness in both shins with a burning sensation, vexing heat in chest, palms and soles, dizziness, tinnitus, accompanied by flushed complexion, dry mouth and throat, nocturnal emission, fine and rapid pulse, red tongue with scant coating. This is often caused by excessive sexual activity, depletion of essence and blood due to aging, or prolonged illness weakening the body and damaging the kidney's qi and yin. The kidneys govern the bones, and bones generate marrow. When the essence and marrow fail to nourish the shin bones, soreness and fatigue in the shins occur. The key diagnostic features include an internal burning sensation, vexing heat in chest, palms and soles, dizziness, tinnitus, flushed complexion, and a fine, rapid pulse. Treatment should focus on nourishing yin and tonifying the kidneys, supplemented by gently draining ministerial fire. The recommended formula is Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pill.
3. Dampness-heat︰The shanks feel sore, with a sense of oppressive distension and pain, and fever upon palpation, accompanied by a shallow yellow complexion with a greasy appearance, scanty dark urine, a soggy and rapid pulse, and a yellow, greasy tongue coating. This syndrome is mostly caused by exposure to dampness pathogens. "When injured by dampness, the lower body is the first to be affected" (Suwen．Taiyin Yangming Lun). Turbid dampness invades the skin and muscles, failing to disperse, transforms into heat, damages qi, and consumes yin, making it difficult for the marrow to be replenished, hence the soreness of the shanks. The key points for pattern identification are: sore shanks accompanied by oppressive distension and pain, fever upon palpation, a yellow complexion with a greasy appearance, a soggy and rapid pulse, and a yellow, greasy tongue coating. The treatment should focus on clearing and draining damp-heat, supplemented by tonifying qi and activating blood circulation. The recommended formula is Angelica Pain-Relieving Decoction.

Soreness of the lower legs is one of the signs of internal damage, often associated with deficiency pattern, and clinically it is frequently seen alongside other symptoms and signs of deficiency. In treatment, only gentle methods should be employed, and aggressive remedies should be used with caution.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Lingshu．Jueqi Chapter: "Those with humor desertion disease have inflexible bone joints, a dull complexion, brain marrow depletion, sore shins, and frequent tinnitus."
2. Lingshu．Hai Lun Chapter: "Insufficiency of the marrow sea leads to dizziness, tinnitus, sore shins, blurred vision, and a tendency to lie down due to fatigue."
3. Suwen．Cire Chapter: "Those with kidney heat disease first experience lumbago and sore shins, intense thirst, frequent drinking, and body heat,....."
4. 《Miscellaneous Bingyuan Liuxizhu．Source of Pulmonary Tuberculosis》: "If one suffers from turbid essence (chronic prostatitis) and also experiences sore shins and stiffness in the waist, it indicates that the disease is in the kidney."